UK-hating Russian politician Dmitry Medvedev buys $4.4mn British-made luxury yacht

UK-hating Russian politician Dmitry Medvedev buys $4.4mn British-made luxury yacht
The vessel, named Hurry Up, was produced by Plymouth-based Princess Yachts in 2024 and imported into Russia through a foundation allegedly linked to Medvedev. / Kremlin
By bne IntelliNews November 29, 2024

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council and a vocal critic of Western nations, has reportedly purchased a GBP3.5mn ($4.4mn) luxury yacht manufactured in the United Kingdom.

The vessel, named Hurry Up, was produced by Plymouth-based Princess Yachts in 2024 and imported into Russia through a foundation allegedly linked to Medvedev, according to investigative outlet The Insider. The foundation, known as the Foundation for the Support of National Maritime Programmes, facilitated the import through a related company, documents reveal.

The foundation is headed by Dmitry Ustratov, an associate of Ilya Yeliseyev, a long-time confidant of Medvedev and overseer of his financial interests. Although the foundation received RUB2.3bn ($21.2mn) in donations in 2023, its philanthropic efforts appear modest. Media reports suggest its most publicised initiative was providing kayaking equipment to a youth organisation in occupied Kherson.

Medvedev, known for his lavish lifestyle, already owns a fleet of luxury yachts. These include the Italian-built GV, valued at GBP4mn, and the Universe, a 74-metre mega-yacht worth an estimated GBP82mn. The Universe boasts features such as a helipad and secure communications systems and is reportedly financed by oligarch Igor Yusufov via an offshore entity in the Cayman Islands.

This acquisition stands in stark contrast to Medvedev’s fiery rhetoric against the UK. Recently, he labelled Britain a “perennial enemy” and claimed it could be “wiped off the map” by Russian missiles.

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